2021 Dodge Durango vs 2020 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Honda CR-V, part of Honda's fifth generation of compact crossovers, had a design that was both familiar and enjoyable. Its exterior styling was characterized by soft, curvy lines that gave it a car-like appearance, closely resembling Honda's sedan lineup. This design approach made the CR-V look more like a station wagon than an SUV, setting a standard for modern family transportation. However, the interior told a different story, with a mix of textures and materials that didn't always harmonize. While higher trims featured upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery, these elements clashed with some low-quality plastics, reminding drivers that even the pricier CR-V versions were essentially upgraded commodity cars rather than true premium products.

In contrast, the 2021 Dodge Durango maintained its muscular stance and athletic styling, aligning with Dodge's family of vehicles like the Charger and Challenger. The 2021 model year saw a revision in its design, particularly evident in the high-performance SRT Hellcat model, which featured a cold-air scoop, twin-pipe exhaust, LED headlamps, and a rear spoiler. The Durango offered a variety of wheel options and a choice of 11 exterior colours, along with six interior colour schemes. Inside, the Durango's cabin was updated with a new instrument panel and either an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect 5 infotainment system. As buyers moved up the trim levels, the Durango became increasingly premium and sophisticated, with options for leather, suede, and Nappa leather seats, as well as unique contrast stitching and Demonic Red-coloured seat belts.

The 2020 Honda CR-V was equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine across all trims, producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which, despite some CVTs' reputation for sluggishness, performed well in the CR-V. The vehicle felt quick, especially in Sport mode, and the transmission mimicked a conventional automatic effectively. The CR-V's road manners were excellent, with a car-like demeanor, nimble handling, and minimal body roll. Its low curb weight, ranging from 1,521 kg for the FWD LX model to 1,641 kg for the AWD Touring and Black Edition models, contributed to its agility and fuel efficiency. The CR-V's fuel consumption was rated at 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres for FWD models and 8.1 for AWD models, making it one of the most efficient in its class among non-hybrid models.

The 2021 Dodge Durango offered a range of four engines: a 3.6-litre V6, a 5.7-litre HEMI V8, a 392 HEMI V8, and a supercharged 6.2-litre HEMI V8. All engines were paired with eight-speed automatic transmissions, with AWD standard in Canada. The V6 engine produced 293 to 295 horsepower, while the 5.7-litre V8 delivered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The 392 HEMI V8 in the SRT 392 model offered 475 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, while the supercharged 6.2-litre HEMI V8 in the SRT Hellcat produced a staggering 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque. Despite its power, the Hellcat was comfortable in city traffic and on the highway, with smooth shifts and acceleration. The Durango's steering was precise, but its chassis showed its age, with a suspension that allowed bumps to be felt in the cabin. The Durango R/T's Tow N Go Package offered impressive towing capabilities, with a capacity of 8,700 pounds.

The 2020 Honda CR-V was known for its masterful packaging, offering a spacious cabin comparable to the Volkswagen Tiguan without feeling oversized. The seating position provided excellent visibility, and the cargo compartment was roomy, with a two-position load floor for flexibility. The CR-V's clever storage solutions included a deep centre console and large door pockets, making it easy to store and access items. The rear seats could be folded to create a flat floor, providing up to 1,110 litres of cargo space in most trims.

The 2021 Dodge Durango excelled as a family hauler, offering comfortable seating for up to seven passengers across three rows. The front and second-row seats were spacious, while the third row provided more room than many competitors. The Durango's cargo space was average for its class, but its fit and finish had improved significantly over the years. The Durango's midsize packaging made it a versatile family vehicle with an athletic design, standing out from bulkier models like the Nissan Armada and Ford Expedition.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system showed its age, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen that felt small compared to competitors. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate, and even Apple CarPlay and Android Auto felt tacked on. However, the CR-V offered plenty of USB ports and a wireless phone charger in higher trims, providing convenience for device charging.

The 2021 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 10.1-inch screen on higher trims, running the new Uconnect 5 system. This system was faster and more customizable than its predecessor, offering connected services, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and TomTom navigation. The Durango also offered a rear-seat family entertainment system with Blu-ray and DVD players. The gauge cluster had a unique design, but the speedometer's shape made it difficult to read. The TomTom navigation system was user-friendly, with clear graphics and quick response times.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came standard with the "Honda Sensing" suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. It earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with LED headlights improving nighttime visibility in higher trims. A safety recall affected a small number of vehicles for a rear subframe issue.

The 2021 Dodge Durango lagged behind rivals in safety features, with only a back-up camera as standard. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The IIHS rated the Durango as Marginal for a small overlap frontal impact, while the NHTSA gave it a five-star side crash-test rating and a four-star front crash and rollover rating.